Author: Tallon Smith

Hi, my name is Tallon, and I am a rugby league journalist covering country football. I have been covering rugby league since I was 14, when I launched my first publication, In Touch, covering grassroots footy in South West NSW. Fast forward three years to the age of 17, and that project morphed into Battlers For Bush Footy, a project which I have been devoted to ever since. A keen observer of most sports, rugby league is my first true love, and the game I spend almost all of my winter months immersed in, producing content for Battlers For Bush Footy. I am also a keen follower of cricket, which I tend to cover in the summer months when rugby league is in its off-season. In addition to this, I am familiar with and have the capacity to cover various other sports such as basketball, Australian rules football, tennis, rugby union, soccer and motorsport. My work has been published in many mastheads including the Riverine Grazier, The Irrigator, The Area News, Gundagai Times, Yass Valley Times, Cootamundra Times, Boorowa Times, Twin Town Times, Young News, Junee Independent, Deniliquin Pastoral Times and West Wyalong Advocate. I'm still learning the ropes as a student of the craft, with the hope of one day turning my passion into a career. Visit my website for more info: https://tallonasmith.wordpress.com/
Group 9

Hurst and Carey come up clutch for Kangaroos in extra time thriller against Albury

Tallon Smith The Wagga Kangaroos have denied Albury Thunder a perfect season in the Group 9 Reserve Grade Grand Final with a heartstopping 17-12 extra time win at Geohex Park on Sunday. After a dour opening to the match, Kangaroos opened the scoring through strike centre Khaileb Cameron-Pani, before Albury hit back through second rower Ty Tindalevale to level the scores at 6-all heading into … Continue reading Hurst and Carey come up clutch for Kangaroos in extra time thriller against Albury

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Group 9

Cherrypickers crowned inaugural Women’s Tackle premiers after “surreal” finals run

Tallon Smith The Young Cherrypickers have completed a stunning run in the inaugural Group 9 Women’s Tackle Premiership, storming home from fourth to claim the title with a 16-10 win over the Estella Storm in the Grand Final at Geohex Park on Sunday. The Cherrypickers burst out of the blocks in the first half, with three tries to Jayda Hemara, Shania McKinnon and Beth Loco … Continue reading Cherrypickers crowned inaugural Women’s Tackle premiers after “surreal” finals run

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Group 9

Group 9 Grand Final: Gutsy Gundagai deny Kangaroos to claim fifth title in a decade

Tallon Smith A gutsy second half performance has secured the Gundagai Tigers a 10-6 Grand Final win over the Wagga Kangaroos and the 2025 Group 9 Premiership at Geohex Park on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers started the stronger of the two sides, bursting out of the blocks with two quick tries to fullback Tyron Gorman and centre James Morgan to open up a 10-0 lead. … Continue reading Group 9 Grand Final: Gutsy Gundagai deny Kangaroos to claim fifth title in a decade

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Group 9

Cinderella story complete as Cootamundra claims Weissel Cup crown

Tallon Smith 12 months ago, the whole club wasn’t even in the competition, but the Cootamundra Bulldogs have a 2025 Group 9 premiership in their trophy cabinet after a remarkable last-gasp 26-22 win over the Wagga Kangaroos in a stunning Under 18s decider at Geohex Park on Sunday. With the scores level, winger Graham Neale proved the match winner, scoring a final minute try to … Continue reading Cinderella story complete as Cootamundra claims Weissel Cup crown

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Northern Rivers

NRRRL: Lismore Marist Brothers Rams secure first title in 22 years with win over Mustangs

Photo: Kevin Hogan MP Tallon Smith The Lismore Marist Brothers Rams have secured the club’s first premiership since their 2003 Group 1 triumph after a 20-12 win over the Murwillumbah Mustangs in the Grand Final at Crozier Field on Sunday. Three tries to Mitchell Krause, Noah King and Will Woolley were enough to outscore the Mustangs, securing Grand Final victory for the Lismore club on … Continue reading NRRRL: Lismore Marist Brothers Rams secure first title in 22 years with win over Mustangs

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Group 20

Group 20: Hay to face Waratahs for Grand Final date with DPC after incredible semi finals

Photo: Mandy Brooke-Barnes Tallon Smith The Group 20 finals race has narrowed down to three teams, with the Griffith Waratah Tigers set to take on the Hay Magpies in the Preliminary Final for the right to face the Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters in the Grand Final. Continue reading Group 20: Hay to face Waratahs for Grand Final date with DPC after incredible semi finals

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